💾 Archived View for webdragon.mywire.org › plants › Hypericum-Perforatum.gmi captured on 2023-04-19 at 22:43:00. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
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Other names: Goatweed, Herb John, Penny John, Amber, Cammmock, Rosinrose, Touch-and-heal, Hardhay, Witches' wort, Devil's scourge, Balm-og-warrior's- wound, Lord God's wonder plant
Flower colour: Yellow
Flowering: June - September
Height: 0.30 - 0.80 m
Active ingredients: Naphthodianthrons, floroglucin derivatives, flavonoids, biflavonoids, xanthones, phenolic acids, essential oils, GABA, imanine, novoimanine, tannins
Used parts: The flowering tops, harvested towards the end of June or beginning of July; The herbal oil, obtained by maceration of flowering tops in vegetable oil
In many languages this plant has a name referring to Saint John. This is because Goatweed would be at the height of its flowering on the day of the Birth of John the Baptist (24 June). Even more, the day of the Beheading of Saint John (29 August) is also the day that there start to appear red spots on the petals. But that is not the only thing to be told about Saint John and this plant, for it is said that John the Baptist protected St. John's wort against the Devil. Goatweed was such a wonderful, useful and good plant for the people, that the Devil wanted to destroy it. Saint John saved the plant, but there still can be seen the signs of that day, for there are small holes in the leaves. These can be seen if you hold it up to the light and are said to be a result of the sharp claws of the Devil. There is also a Germanic story that tells that the plant arose fromm Odin's blood, when he was attacked by a boar. Actually there exist a lot of tales about St. John's wort and in all stories the plant is depicted as a plant that protects against negative influences. A bundle of Goatweed could be hung above the door to protect against witches and evil spirits and a potion of Hypericum Perforatum would be used to cure possessed people. This was tried by the nurse of the emperor Nero, but it was to no avail. Furthermore, a vase with St. John's wort would bring happiness. Hence, it was said to help against depression. You might not be surprised to hear that Goatweed prefers much sunshine. And maybe it is not surprising that Hypericum Perforatum can cause a hypersensitivity to sunlight.
The plant was already known by the ancient Greeks. Dioscorides used St. John's wort to heal wounds and sciatica and Plinius used it in wine as antidote to the poison of reptiles. They also used it against mental health problems. This use for mental health problems was also found out in the middle ages, when people used St. John's wort during the time of year with the least amount of sunshine, to bring a bit more light into their lives again.
Since St. John's wort is so much noted to have positive effects on mental healt, there has been reliable scientific research that shows that it can indeed be used as an antidepressant. Futhermore, it is said to improve the blood circulation, regulate the menstruation. It also has a calming effect and it is clinically proved that Hypericum Perforatum helps stabilizing manic depression. But there are much more positive effects noted on the nerve system and it can improve the digestion. It helps to heal wounds and it has a positive effect on burnt skin and when applied on a tick bite St. John's wort oil should decrease the chance of getting Lyme.
St. John's wort interacts with quite a lot of medicines. Hence, it is recommended to NOT use this plant if you use any kind of medicines.
When used externally, this plant makes the skin senisitive to UV light. Therefore you should avoid sunlight when using Goatweed.
Hypericum Perforatum can sometimes increase the production of TSH (Thyroid-stimulating hormone).
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should NOT use St. John's wort, since there are not enough studies on whether it is safe for them or not.
Do NOT use this plant if you have an allergy for plants of the Clusiaceae family.
Hypericum Perforatum increases the narcotic effect of alcohol.
Goatweed should NOT be combined with other antidepressants, because that can cause a serotonin syndrome.
Just do NOT use Hypericum Perforatum if you use any kind of medicines, unless a qualified doctor says otherwise.